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>>48487747
You approach without hurry. It's been a long day and now night on your feet and you don't feel the need to push yourself further than you have to.

Especially not if you wanna get Amy out of that dress later, which you /really do/.

"They sound very wise," Amalie is saying as you approach. "Though I have to say, there's something to suggest for your approach to problem solving. Everyone being straightforward would certainly simplify /my/ job."

"I'm still not quite getting some of the stuff you're talking about," Amy admits. "Money in the Roost is pretty straightforward and - Bri!"

You laugh as you get an armful of half-harpy. "I love you too, Ames," you say warmly. "Your Highness, do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," Amalie answers graciously. She quirks an eyebrow, expectantly, waiting for - for what?

Oh, right.

> Offer a hand to shake
> Bow
> Kneel
> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.

>>48487944
>> Bow (curtsey?)
at least pretend that we know common courtesy

>>48487944
> Offer a hand to shake
> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.
How you doin?

>>48487944
>Bow
Technically we rare still a criminal in exile.

>>48488153
You concluded the terms of your exile.

>>48488176
Nevermind then! But still bow.

>>48487944
> Other
Curtsy

>>48488198
We're in a suit. Bowing is easier.

>>48487944
>just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.
We treat everyone equally already, why change now?

>>48487944
>> Offer a hand to shake
Also those perspective practices linked in the last thread are one of the sexiest pics I've seen.

>>48487944
>Bow
Respect, but kneeling seems... inappropriate, given our angelic patron

>>48487944
>>> Offer a hand to shake

>>48487944
>Bow
She may not be our ruling royalty but any royalty should be treated with some courtesy, and after her reaction to the situation with Ames earlier she sure as heck is in the positive standing right now.

>>48487944
> Offer a hand to shake
> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.
Me thinks this is the kind of princess who thinks less of people who bow and prostrate before her.

>>48487944
>> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.

>>48488224
It is, but I think the juxtaposition of the feminine jesture with the masculine garb would be amusing.

>>48487944
>> Offer a hand to shake
>> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.
One of these, with a nod (i.e. basic courtesy between equals)

>>48489151
It does kind of suit Bri, true.

Real life interrupted me, still interrupting, my apologies.

>>48488300
Domo passes along his thanks for the kind words.

>>48487944
> Bow (curtsey?)

>>48487944
>Offer a hand to shake.
C'mon now, we talk with dead people all the time, and some of them might have been royalty. Let's not worry about little things.

>>48489306
Domo a bro.

>>48489306
Real Life is a fucking whore.

And before anyone says it, Vox is a /slut/. There's a difference.

>>48487944
>curtsey, because it's cuter.

I would like to point out that being injured to the point of needing a cane means a curtsey - which puts you on one leg only - is a really bad idea just for the sake of Bri's health.

>>48487944
>> Offer a hand to shake
> Just introduce yourself. She's not /your/ princess.
If she makes a fuss about lack of respect, we're injured, she can deal with it.

>>48489392
how long are you gonna think this joke is funny?

>>48489583
>Offer her a hand shake.
>"I'd curtsey, but I was recently reintroduced to this thing called 'pain', and I might fall over trying to be gracious."

>>48489656
I think you meant "graceful" not gracious. Chances the entire meaning of the sentence.

>>48489646
You seem to be misunderstanding; Vox is indeed a slut.

He spends an inordinate amount of his time 'entertaining' faggots like you and me.

Don't these things have their own board now?

>>48489691
You're going to have to try harder.

>>48489720
I'm not trying to troll, I'm just curious as to why this isn't over on /qst/, I've never really followed Quest threads

>>48489763
Because a lot of players don't like /qst/ and there is no reason not to run it here when players don't like /qst/.

Pretty simple really.

Called, writing.

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Okay I lied, I stopped to make dinner.

Now I'm writing.

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>>48487944
You offer your hand out to her Highness. "Brianna la Croix, Princess," you offer. "It's an honor to meet you."

Amalie raises an eyebrow, but she takes your hand and shakes it firmly. "The friends of Death," she notes, curiously. "I hadn't thought we had a la Croix family in Greenwall."

"You don't," you admit. "...Well, you /do/, in the Dungeon, but they're Roses. Not quite the same."

"Not at all," the royal agrees. "What is it /you/ do?"

"Think of me as a...spiritual advisor," you evade, with a little grin.

Princess Amalie snorts. "My father told me stories about the la Croix, back when Greenwall was still part of the Empire. He said you had difficulty bowing even then."

"We don't go in for titles," you agree modestly. "We do go in for responsibility. Thank you, for helping Amy back there."

"Think nothing of it. Miss Amy's been a delight," Amalie tells you. Amy /beams/. "I've asked her if I can't procure something like that dress for myself, if she's of a mind. I get the sneaking suspicion that I'll have to be near Glen for awhile."

"What about you?" you ask. "What's being the Mistress of Coin like?"

"Please don't," Amy begs. "It hurt my head enough the first time."

Amalie laughs and signals to one of her handmaidens; the girl goes to retrieve drinks. "The very, unhelpfully short version is that I ensure the Crown doesn't run out of money. The somewhat longer version is that I try to keep Greenwall's coinage moving. Money that sits still isn't doing our work for us. Picking up Wrackholm was quite a coup for that, actually, even if there's some...disagreements."

"You can't just leave that sitting on the table," you point out. The handmaiden comes back with glasses of watered wine; you take one, gratefully, and enjoy a sip.

"People will tell you that Wrackholm was a pirate city, and that's true to an extent," Amalie explains. "But soldiers need support, and pirates are, make no mistake, soldiers."

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>>48491411
Amalie gestures to a hook-handed woman in a decidedly naval outfit; her 'uniform' is decorated with patches depicting various events, and she talks shrewdly with a small knot of finely-dressed individuals. "Wrackholm sent us a Duchess because my father asked for one, but they don't have nobility as we'd recognize it. And they're insisting on not having any."

"So what do they want?" you ask.

"Democracy," Amalie answers, her tone all interest. "You're familiar with the idea of electing a village council? They applied it to their entire city. I'm given to understand that it began as a defensive compromise when the city was founded, but every six years every man and woman in Wrackholm, be they prince or pauper, is invited to cast ballots for who will rule their home. Anyone who lives, works, or owns business there."

"...Huh," you say slowly. "And it works out for them?"

"Seems to. City's been there for a hundred and eighty years or so and they haven't descended into murderous chaos." Amalie swirls her glass and takes a small sip. "I'll admit, the idea fascinates me. Father apprenticed me as an aide to one of their Councilors for the duration of his rule so that I could train for this role."

"Wait," Amy interjects. "For the coin thing?"

"Well, yes, you have to do /something/ with the kids that won't inherit," Amalie points out. "My older brother got into war already and in any event I'm not big on commanding armies. Funding armies, yes, supplying armies, certainly, but combat?" She shakes her head. "And the other traditional route, murdering your whole family and stealing the throne, leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Something about loving and cherishing them, the bastards."

You snort. "Family is inconvenient like that, yes."

>>48491592
I like Amalie already.

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>>48491592
"The point is, I lived there for a good chunk of time, and now they've very quietly submitted their desire to the Crown, that they not be treated as land to be given away to this vassal or that. And the trouble is, it wasn't a request. It was a demand." Amalie turns her head back to you. "Father wants to know what's to be done about them. And in a lot of ways, they're like Starfall here. Sure, we can pick a fight, but we're never going to win it. Not without years of getting to know their shores and defenses."

"Okay, so what's the worry?" you ask.

"You and I were both young or possibly not born when the Empire fell," Amalie explains. "Depending on how old you are. It doesn't really matter; the point is, we grew up with its ghost. Greenwall came out of that really well. Elves to the west to buffer us, easy access to the sea, fertile lands. But there was a lot of anti-Imperial sentiment, and there still is. And the thing about kings if they tend to become Emperors if they win the game hard enough - and not playing has never been an option."

"Until now?" Amy asks.

"Nah. Democrats still play the game, but they rewrite the rules for it. And what Father worries of is that if we acknowledge and legitimize Wrackholm's demand, others may do the same."

> What do you say?

>>48491757
>Good, seen to many corrupt "vassals" in my time. Although I am curious as to how they can manage their system in more detail. Might try it in the Dungeon to smooth things over between floors without becoming a ruler.

>>48491757
>Your father, he listens to the counsel and advice of his vassal lords right? What's to say the same thing can't continue, but with elected officials? You're still playing the game.
See, I had an idea, and then I lost it. But I'm shit at politics anyway. Also, are we building a constitutional monarchy here (if that's how it works).

>>48491813
So, basically, a House of Representatives with members drawn from each inhabited floor? Doesn't sound like a bad idea. Course, we can't count the Broken Jaw since...

Fuck, now I'm depressed.

>>48491757
> I'm afraid I'm probably more interested in the experiment than the political ramifications. The idea sounds fascinating.

>>48491757
>People aren't gonna copy /pirates/, princess. Even if they have a good idea, they're still pirates, with all the... reputation that implies.

>>48491813
Seconding (thirding?) this.

>>48491757
>Supporting >>48491925

>>48491925
This. Leave their democratic experiment as a city wide oddity. The democratic unit, rather than a particular lord would owe fealty.

>>48491813
>>48491925
supporting a combination of these two options.

>>48491757
more support to the fine anons
>>48491813
>>48491925

Called, writing.

>>48492506
>>48492981
>>48492983
Huh, surprised my brain-leakage is getting support.

I just think that Brianna would support anything that helps bring people together peacefully. Once everything in the Dungeon is settled, she could call on the spirits of past rulers (who actually knew what the fuck they were doing) to share their wisdom with the leaders of the present.

Plus, that's a golden opportunity for laughs at the expense of nobles getting embarrassed and chewed out by their dead grandparents.

>>48493831
>Oh gods, did my daughter actually marry that bastard shepherd from the plains or have you just sat in the sun for so long your brain boiled and made you think that outfit looks good?
>Hello, Matthew, I've been hearing some interesting stories from your uncles about how you had them burned at the stake...
>WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE STILL COLLECTING PROPERTY TAXES?! THOSE WERE SUPPOSED TO ONLY LAST AS LONG AS THE WAR DID!
>Ah, so nice to finally meet you, granddaughter. I'm glad to see that my death meant something in the end.
>Wait, you've been trying to break into my vault for HOW long? The code is your mother's birthday!

>>48494205
These made me laugh perhaps more than the should have. Particularly the vault

>>48494205
>WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE STILL COLLECTING PROPERTY TAXES?! THOSE WERE SUPPOSED TO ONLY LAST AS LONG AS THE WAR DID!
The correct answer to this is to stare at him and say 'moneeeeeeeeey' while doing that finger-rubbing gesture.

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>>48491757
You consider it for a moment. "Is there a reason you're asking me?"

"Ask?" Amalie replies, with an arched eyebrow.

"I swear, if you make me torture my grammar for the political version -"

The princess interrupts with a sweet laugh and shakes her head. "You really aren't scared of me, are you?" she asks, her eyes bright with interest. "Some might consider you terribly rude."

"Some might not discuss matters of state politics with a stranger, on the basis of a family name and historical records," you answer, raising an eyebrow. "We can do this all night, your Highness. My oaths of fealty drowned with my people. I respect you, and I'm grateful to you, but I don't serve you."

"There you are," Amalie murmurs. "Nice to meet you at last, Ms. la Croix. And you're right, I am asking. Do you have an opinion?"

"Did you two just have a standoff?" Amy asks.

"I'll tell you later, love," you murmur. "I'm a little rusty on my monarchies, but your father listens to the counsel and advice of his vassals, yes? He'll have a privy council or a small council of some kind, to help him attend to the needs of the realm?"

"Certainly," Amalie agrees. "I'm on it. So is my brother, for that matter, and a scattering of others. Even a few commoners," she adds, thoughtfully. "Which was Prince Wayland's idea, incidentally."

"Why not do the same thing with elected officials? Get ahead of the game. Go down in history as a bold, progressive monarch. Or a harmless idiot who tried something that ultimately failed. Either way, you don't go down as the one who got a stool kicked out from under them at the end of a rebellion."

"You really think it'd be as bad as all that?" the princess asks. "My father's not a hated man."

"Never said he was, but I've seen a lot of corrupt vassals in my time, and a king is accountable for his banners. Isn't he? Maybe it's time to have them accountable to the people."

>>48495618
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMNUcNokvkU
1:13

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>>48496383
You gesture out onto the dance floor. "Captain Miller, he's accountable to his neighbors, to the village elders, and to his oaths. And presumably various lords and knights are accountable to their vassals but in practice that doesn't happen as often as you'd think, does it? It's easy to be powerful and distant." You shrug, and take a sip of your wine. "...We took our hats off for our Baron, at home, and he greeted us by name, and asked after our families. He was one of us, and I think we were happier for it."

"I am sorry for what happened," Amalie murmurs.

"Did you blow that dam?"

"Of course not."

"Then don't insult me with your apologies, your Highness. Sometimes...sometimes, the scythe just falls."

Amy clears her throat. "The Roost does something sorta like what you're talking about," she adds, helpfully. "The various murders get together to handle justice or deal with stuff that affects the whole Roost. The Roost is...was.../was/, a shithole where dreams went to die, but the Parliament was how we made peace."

"Honestly, I'd love to know more about how Wrackholm handles it," you tell Amalie. "No one rules the Dungeon, but it'd be nice if people didn't act like their neighbors meant nothing. Maybe no /one/ can rule the place, but /everyone/ could."

"What makes the Dungeon your concern?" Amalie asks curiously.

"A dear friend of mine asked me to look after it," you answer. "And that's all you're going to get from me tonight, Highness."

"Let me rephrase the question, then," the princess presses. "What gives you the right to plot and scheme to change their society? Me, here, I know what gives /me/ the right. And I transferred that to you when I asked for your opinion. What about the Dungeon?"

>>48496497
> I have the power. No one's been able to stop me so far.
> Someone has to. It's time the Dungeon took its rightful place in the world.
> I'm just doing things, okay? Everything seems like it needs doing at the time and they all add up into this massive labor of shit that I've /done/.
> Write-in?

>>48496501
> Write-in?
"My dear friend had the power, and she transferred it to me when she asked for my help"

>>48496501
> I'm just doing things, okay? Everything seems like it needs doing at the time and they all add up into this massive labor of shit that I've /done/.

Bri's always been spurred along at every turn to keep being /that person,/ and while others have helped her along the way no one has ever offered to take up her mantle and finish the charge. She's been appointed the leader by the simple fact that she is doing the things that need to be done in the Dungeon, and is willing to keep on going (at least from the outside perspective). To say that that stress might be wearing on her, well..

>>48496497
> If you saw the Roost as I saw it, when I saw it, you wouldn't be asking that question.

>>48496538
Absolutely this

>>48496501
>No rights at all. I make deals with the reasonable authorities, I bought those rights. For others, those who very recently came into power through force, I used force in kind. And the rest...
> If you saw the Roost as I saw it, when I saw it, you wouldn't be asking that question.

>>48496501
Seconding >>48496649
>No rights at all. I make deals with the reasonable authorities, I bought those rights. For others, those who very recently came into power through force, I used force in kind. And the rest...
> If you saw the Roost as I saw it, when I saw it, you wouldn't be asking that question.

>>48496649
thirding

So, Vox,
About your Professional Writing, is it for Dreamscarred Press?

>>48496937
I think he mentioned that Mourners was coming out soon. Looking forward to it

>>48496958
Read that on the site

>>48496937
It is.

>>48496973
So, will it be going up in the same place as all the other stuff?
Also, is it Mourners: Ashes to Ashes?

>>48496501
>"Not a damn thing. I have no 'right' to do this but its the right thing to do so I'm doing it."

>>48497008
whoops forgot to greentext.

>>48496969
I did, want a print copy.

>>48496649
This.

>>48497051
I do as well, but I have no money and it may cost a lot to get it shipped to here

>>48496987
's not currently fiction. Or, at least, not that kind of fiction. RPG stuff.

Later fiction will indeed be on the site. Did a short recently just to keep my hand in.

>>48496538
Don't like this one. It gives too much away. Amalie is clearly a fairly sharp player and doesn't need us making things too easy.

I would go for something more subtle.

>>48496501
>> Write-in?
"Plot and scheme to change their society? You vastly overestimate what I am capable of. At best I have been there to facilitate change that was inevitable in any event and make it go more smoothly with an eye towards minimizing bloodshed."

>>48496501
>you will find out in due time tonight, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Alright folks, I'm crawling into bed. This staying up until 5 AM shit has got to go. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

Bedtime bump.

>>48496406
This is fucking great.

>>48497373
I'd wanted to ask earlier, are there other gods of note besides the big five? Or, at least gods that are relevant to what we've been doing.

Bump for lunch

>>48499139
Aussie? It's "Oh Dear God Why?" in the morning where Vox is.

>>48496649
>Backing.

>>48499173
France, at the moment, probably for the last time now that brexit's come through

>>48496649
Going with this one.

>>48499293
Eh, you still have a couple of years before it's all final. Enough about that, though.

*returns to waiting on the dread Coffe Lich*

>>48496501
>Supporting
>>48496649

>>48496501
>> Someone has to. It's time the Dungeon took its rightful place in the world.
... can we stop calling it the Dungeon, though? It's so much more than that; thats just what the abovelanders call it.

>>48499811
>thats just what the abovelanders call it.
No? It's what everybody calls it.

>>48499811
With the concerted efforts to bring the various floors together as a cohesive and unified nation rather than a spooky murder-pit, the name isn't likely to change.

>>48499867
>>48500128
Well, if we're talking larger PR; 'the dungeon' as the name of a entire sub-country really sends the wrong message.
The folks here are used to treating it as a dangerous place to dump criminals; but that has to change on a lot of levels, including it's Title.

>>48497373
So, the various groupings of angels are called Choirs. Is this purely metaphorical, or can/do they sing?

>>48500399
Are you certain you could survive hearing them sing?

>>48500617
What a way to go, though

I'm up. Must prevent homelessness.

>>48500399
Yes and no. The name is a reference to the Divine Tongue, the language mortals have seen and heard angels speak (but never understood the nature of) before. In the ancient past when angels were much more visible and handling shit as new species were created and environments actively shaped, the Firstborn saw them as singers, and they took that name for themselves. Now the name remains, well beyond any awareness of where it came from.

Prevented, called, writing.

>>48504107
So, Wrackholm was viciously attacked by a Dragon, right? And most dragons are paired with an Angel of the Fangs Choir, yes? So, why would this one's angel (if it even had one) allow it to rampage like that? Or is that more like trying to control a volcano; if its gonna blow, its gonna blow. All you can do is get people out of the way.

Also, are dragons intelligent and cunning, or are they motivated by simple, primal needs? So, for example, the dragon that attacked Wrackholm wasn't after wealth, just attempting to expand its territory by destroying a perceived rival.

>>48505045
I believe he mentioned dragons are more akin to forces of nature than actual creatures.

>>48505045
Why do you assume that angels are protectors of man?

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>>48496501
You shake out a cigarette. "Do you mind?" you ask.

"Not at all. Actually - wait, are those the ones that the elf in the hat was passing out?" Amalie asks warily.

"I see you've been subjected to Lark's handiwork," you say with amusement. "And yes."

The princess takes a step away from you and gestures for you to light up. You laugh and get it lit, taking a thoughtful drag. She stares at you in polite horror. "You smoke those /purposefully/?"

"I do," you agree, letting the smoke trickle from your nostrils. "Do you want to know why, or have me answer your question?"

"Question," Amalie decides. You and Amy share a laugh.

"I've got no rights at all," you tell her. "I've made deals with reasonable authorities - community leaders and representatives, who wanted or needed my help, and I suppose that means I bought those rights then. For the assholes who've come into power with force, and ground people's faces into the stone and muck? I used force in kind." You take another slow drag and sigh, the smoke emerging in a cloud. "As for the rest," you say softly, "if you'd seen the Roost as I saw it, when I saw it? You wouldn't be asking. If you saw what had happened to the Mine, to the Broken Jaw, you wouldn't be asking. I'm not going to just walk by misery and death and then do /nothing/."

"And what is it you want to change most?" the princess asks, her eyes on yours.

"...The people of the Dungeon, they didn't /care/," you tell her quietly. "If something happens and it's not on your Floor, or your community, you just do nothing. Now their home is threatened and when it was time to unite, to stand together, they did /nothing/. When the Roost turned into...what it was, they did /nothing/. Nothing isn't going to cut it any more. If I can make them see that before I drop dead, I lived a life worth living."

Amy chirps and hugs you from behind; you can feel her cheek nuzzle against you.

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>>48505393
"Thank you for indulging me." Amalie finishes her wine and passes it, casually, to her handmaiden, who carries it off with a little smile. "Ms. la Croix, I do believe you should come visit sometime. Wayland would find you fascinating."

"I'm honored," you tell her earnestly. "I'll see if I can find some time before I die."

Her Highness laughs. "Aren't we all just looking for a bit of that?"

At the top of the stage, Henrietta taps a fork against her wine glass. The attention of the ball goes to her.

"Lords, ladies, residents of Glen," she begins. "I have a proposal to make."

> You are Nathan Bookchild
> You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker
> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

>>48505045
The relationship between the Fangs Choir and dragons is not clear, but dragons have not been observed to be owned or commanded by angels in the past.

As far as draconic intelligence, depends on the dragon. They are not really a species in the traditional sense. Some dragons have been cunning and intelligent, even urbane. Others have been animals or, worse, reavers, who destroy without true thought or malice.

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up
yessssssssss

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

>>48505437
>Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

Do me like a 10 yen whore.

>>48505437
> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

Just lie back and think of England.

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up

You're not getting out of this one alive, vox.

I think that the people have spoken with this one, Vox

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>>48505437
>Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up
Well when you put it like that, what else can I pick?

>>48505437
>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up
How could I vote against being fucked up?

> Expect vote to have some debate so I can do chores while it happens
> Immediate, enthusiastic & unanimous voting

Well FINE THEN but I still gotta go mow the lawn and do battle with the dishes.

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>>48505629
We've got to indulge the little man sometimes, you see those puppy eyes he makes when he begs for the opportunity to write an enormous monologue?

>>48505636
sauce?

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>>48505742
Sorry, but searching my porn bookmarks folder for it would take about three days. I don't even remember the tags.
Here's another panel to reverse search, at least.

>>48505437
Oh wow a new option never before seen. I wonder how about Natha...
>Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up.

>>48505797
I think its a generic version of "My Little Sister cant be this cute"
I believe its on ms.hentai somewhere.

>>48505437
>>> Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up
Jesus christ feed me

>>48505437
>Just fuck me up with a wall of text on this one Vox, just fuck me the hell up
be gentle

Called, writing shortly. Trying to get my chores out of the way in one long-ass shot so I can not worry about them for awhile.

That and someone cooked like three pounds of bacon in this pan and I think there's a civilization in the grease.

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>>48505437
You light a new cigarette and pass one to Amalie without thinking. She lights it without thinking either and attempts to choke to death without interrupting Henrietta.

"Starfall has had a long and storied history with the Dungeon," Henrietta begins, speaking clearly; her voice carries over the field. "Greenwall and, before it, the Empire, have relied on the Dungeon as an instrument of justice, a place in which we may exile those who have wronged society, or hide things to secure for future generations. We have not always used that tool responsibly. We have not /often/ used that tool responsibly," she adds, stressing the last sentence.

Henrietta gestures to the dance floor. "Some of you tonight have had the chance to meet residents of the Dungeon, specifically of the Roost, most visibly Glen's new harpy residents but also human and even dwarven ones. Glen has a long history with its sister village of Lakehallow, in the Basement, to the benefit of both. Many of these natives of the Dungeon were born and raised there. It is their home, into which we have cast innocent and guilty alike."

"...Where is she going with this?" Amalie asks quietly.

"You know, I thought I knew," you answer.

"As a girl, the Dungeon fascinated me. Its history with the surface world, and our treatment of it. The injustices to which it has been party, and the tales of the wonders and horrors within. My father, may the gods rest his soul, did not believe in examining our relationship with it further. I disagree." Henrietta takes a deep breath. "As of this night, Starfall will no longer permit or tolerate the exile of criminals into the Dungeon, or the incarceration of the same. And by the power vested in my family by ancient right as the Keepers of the Door, I further pardon all sentenced to such an exile. They are welcome to return to the surface."

The crowd explodes into a clamor of questions and objections.

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>>48509008

>>48509008
>We have not /often/ used that tool responsibly,"
Okay, thought this was gonna be about the necromancy thing, but alright.

>Starfall will no longer permit or tolerate the exile of criminals into the Dungeon, or the incarceration of the same.
Good, good, I like this.
> I further pardon all sentenced to such an exile
Goddamnit Ettie

>>48509008
COOK, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU MAN?!

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>>48509008
A brief screech makes the various nobles and merchants silence themselves; they wince and look up, just as you do, to see Talon perched at what you are uncomfortably aware is diving height.

"I may be a murderous savage," the harpy says mildly, "but even I know it's rude to interrupt your hostess."

"Thank you, Hunting Talon," Henrietta says graciously. "We have treated the Dungeon with neglect at best, and casual abuse at worst. In our callousness we have wronged not a complicated hole in the ground, but an entire culture, full of people who have done us no wrong, committed no crime. Now the residents of the Roost have come to me. Some of their people have asked to live here, in Starfall, on the surface. I have granted this request, and will be in touch with you, and the Crown, about their future. Many of Hunting Talon's people have expressed an interest in service as couriers, including the Royal Courier service, so that they can see the world they've chosen to join."

The harpies in the crowd blush, a few preening proudly at their cleverness. There is a rustling of wings as some of the shyer ones hide from the attention.

"But there is an entire society in the Roost alone, and they've approached me with an offer. They wish to trade with Starfall and through us, Greenwall, and to open a new passage to the surface. The Dungeon already sees trade with the surface, between Glen and Lakehallow, and the Roost has access to resources beyond even that. I believe all parties would be enriched, in our coffers and spirits, if we accepted this offer and assisted in opening a passage into the Roost."

"You want to let monsters and filth into our kingdom?" a man in the crowd - you're betting a count or merchant - asks, derisively.

"There's a lot to be said for a high-quality monster," Cooke comments. No one, including you, is sure how he got behind the man, let alone leaning casually against his back. "We tend to be problem solvers, us."

>>48509320
>"There's a lot to be said for a high-quality monster," Cooke comments. No one, including you, is sure how he got behind the man, let alone leaning casually against his back. "We tend to be problem solvers, us."

Never have I been so sad that I was phone posting, unable to use appropriate reaction images. In lieu of that... HOLY SHIT BATMAN! WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK! YAAAAAASSSSS!

*cough, cough* I might have actually Dean Screamed there.

Woot! Didn't realize this quest was back yet... or ever... I'm reading up to current, so far its been great.

I have to admit you scared the piss out of me by archiving a thread with the description River meets the parents. I misinterpreted that as meaning several other things.

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>>48509320
It is a credit to Greenwall's nobility that the man doesn't jump out of his skin.

"I understand that there are questions and concerns, many of them rightful, some founded in ignorance," Henrietta continues, as though she hadn't been interrupted. "A few of the people invited here to my ball have been asked here to speak with you on the matter, and asked for nothing more than their honest opinions. Miss Amy, would you be so kind?"

Your lover takes a step forward and beats her wings in something that's more like a leap than flight. She lands, delicately, and shakes Henrietta's hand before turning to the crowd.

"I grew up in the Roost," Amy starts. "If you're expecting me to dazzle you with our great cultural achievements or pride, don't. The Roost...the Roost has been an awful place, for an awfully long time. Things got really bad when we got trapped in our own home, but it helped us realize something has to change. That the Roost has to change. That we want something better. Razor Features," Amy gestures to the harpy leader, who bows graciously, "made a difficult decision in advocating for that change. In a place defined by revenge, she forgave her enemies. In a society defined by mistrust, she offered her hands to those she saw as weak and unworthy. She is here, tonight, among strangers she does not know, and has no reason to trust, beneath a sky that is strange to her, for her people. We know we cannot get something for nothing. The Roost can pay its way. It /will/ pay its way."

"Glen's done better for itself than you might think, off of the Dungeon," Brooks speaks up. "How do you think we afford the weapons, and the nice houses, and the startlingly comprehensive armory? It's not the novelty pottery, trust me. It's the Dungeon."

"Then why are you not a thriving city?" a man sneers.

"Why are you talking down to a small-town healer whose shadow is somehow more drunk than she is?" Brooks retorts.

"Missy," Miller warns.

"Yessir. Sorry sir."

>>48509877
>Razor Features

Autocorrect or is Amy drunk?

>>48509913
Typo.

Caught up, I didn't expect to feel these feels. You shat the bed with jack other anons.

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>>48509877
"Glen has enjoyed its privacy, my lord," the militia Captain explains. "We have done well for ourselves and have not asked for more. But we've also had the chance to get to know the Dungeon, and the people that dwell in it. The Labyrinth Tribe has come to us to purchase education and training, and have been as eager students as we could ever have asked for. Korl," the goblin, at the edge of the crowd, stands and beams, "has even been entrusted with training my men. We had our doubts, but they were wrong. When we invited the Roosters to stay among us, they showed a dedication to peace and to respecting our hospitality, despite the cultural differences. I have nothing but respect for how they've conducted themselves and looked to their community leaders for guidance, leaders that have displayed wisdom and discernment."

"That's fine for Glen," a third noble - a knight, if you're any guess, from the callouses on her hands and the scars that mark her face, "but for an entire kingdom? How do you expect us to keep order with monsters running loose? I've fought harpies before. They're vicious, cruel, and hypnotic, and the moment they're out of sight they'll turn on us."

"I'm about to turn on you in front of fuckin' everyone," Talon growls.

"/Talon/," Henrietta snaps, glaring up at him. He actually seems to /wilt/.

"My apologies, your Grace," Hunting Talon murmurs. "And to you," he adds, to the knight.

> Speak
> Remain silent; your part of this is later

>>48510236
>> Speak

>>48510236
> Speak

What would turning on people even do to help anybody? It'd just be killing the golden goose.

>>48510236
>> Remain silent; your part of this is later

>>48510236
> Speak

"Do you think the Harpies don't know this more than anyone? Is M'Lord perhaps nursing a wound that has impaired his hearing, to have missed the speech just given on that very note? The harpies of the Dungeon are here to be something more than what they've been. To bend the knee to civility and honour. Indeed, fighting them is a trial worthy of note and make no mistake that we honour one who has had to face them in combat. Vicious, cunning, and tenacious that they are. But can you truly say you've never fought beside a knight the same, and been glad of him pissing out instead of in? Is there not a knight among you who has had to learn to come to the table, as he comes to the battlefield? They are here asking for your guidance to become great, are you not up to the task? I believe our knightly orders can. Can be an ideal to strive for. Can be allies worthy of admiration. That you can take their raw talent and turn it into something glorious."

I'm so drug j but seriously a worthy foe is an even better ally. All they need is someone to give them the chance and guide them wwhen their enthusiasm outstrips their courtesy.

>>48510236
>> Remain silent; your part of this is later
He's not... entirely wrong. The average harpie could beat down several regular ground-based humanoids without any problems, possibly killing them in the process. The ability should be acknowledged, even if the inclination isn't there.

>>48510236
>> Remain silent; your part of this is later
Jesus you weren't kidding vox, great Wall of China ain't got shit

>>48510236
>Remain silent; your part of this is later

>>48510499
Nigger are you joking? We're in the middle of her speech and you want to launch into your own?

>>48510236
> Remain silent; your part of this is later

>>48509486
>>48509933
Welcome back, my friend. Glad t'see ya here.

Didja like Jack's section?

>>48510778
I support my closing statement but I am super drunk. Buddy is going through a divorce didn't talk to his lawyer when his wife changed the locks yesterday. Almost got an apartment but I convinced him to stay in the hotel until he can document not having access to his home/kids.

>>48509933
Jack is a long term problem. Dude is lost, we're going to help him find his way but it's not a quick fix

>>48510236
>>48510236
I've seen my share of monsters, both in the dungeon and without and let me tell you sir, most of them, and indeed, the worst of them have been humans. I washer there are more criminals in your land than there are harpies in the roost

>>48511621
I'd disagree that the humans where the worst things down in the Dungeon. Every race we've come across down here has had at least one seriously bad apple. Humans are majority by percentage, so you simply see more bad ones.

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>>48510236
>Remain silent; your part of this is later

I only just now realized that Roosters is not actually a slur, but referencing that they are people of the Roost.

>>48510236
Don't harpies already exist outside the Dungeon? They're not common around here, clearly, but this shouldn't but some massive shock. Also, if they do already exist on the surface, I wonder how the Roosters and surface harpies stack up against each other. Or how they'd react to each other.

>>48511775
> "What do you mean, you're scared to fly?"
> "Okay you fuckin' bluejay patronize me again and I'll fly just high enough to gut you and eat you in front of your damn kids."

>>48510236
> Remain silent; your part of this is later
Let Ettie do her thing.

>>48510236
> Remain silent; your part of this is later

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>>48511797

>>48510236
Remain silent, our job is next.

>>48511701
No one said it had to be true

I gotta hit bed folks. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

Bedtime bump.

Who else wants to see murders of harpies in a modern-ish inner city, Gangs of New York style?

>>48510236
>Remain silent; your part of this is later.
Though obviously, if she calls Brianna forward, it'll be time to introduce the new 'sanctioned necromancer' of Starfall.

>>48513344
That's got some merit, though I think we might be seeing something similar in Vox's book.

I bought in for the paperback on the Kickstarter and I can't fucking wait.

Midday bump

What kind of training should Brianna go for at the end of the interlude?
>Perfecting the Shade/Poltergeist Forms
That way Brianna can become incorporeal and work other magics while not being forced to go aue naturale.
>Expanding Darkness
It's a great way to mess with enemies and change things to our favor.
>Refine the Rot Blasts
While molotovs of decay can be useful, they'd be even better if they were aimed and don't harm our friends and allies.
>Minion creation or upgrading
There's going to be a lot of fighting coming up, whether its against the Lush, the Pallbearer, or the Librarian. We could work on improving Vim & Vigor, the Boar, or get a whole new kind of minion.
>Better Charms and Talismans
These are pretty nifty, and there's other things we can do with them, like giving Nate and Amy the ability to see/touch Ghosts and spirits like Brianna can, or maybe give them a limited form of divination protection.

>>48514080
Definitely a fan of the undead forms. It was implied that she would eventually gain access to a multitude of other forms, each with their own edges. Vampire strength/speed/resilience anyone?

On a tangentially related note: Jewel should make sure she at least does some sort of training to keep her old skills from completely going rusty, even its just something like meditation or breathing exercises. Burying her old life skills completely would be both a waste and a potential for dormant memories or reflexes to come back and bite her at an inopportune time.

River also shouldn't let herself get rusty. Maybe she could teach her sis some more practical combat know how while she is at it. Still would like to see Bri get good with her sword cane.

>>48514534
River is a much, /much/ better front-line fighter than Brianna for two reasons; her past experiences and training as a mercenary, and the form/style of necromancy taught to her by Robert.

Brianna might do with some fencing lessons here and there, since we've kitted her out as a full-time spellcaster and rear support.

>>48514534
Jewel's old memories are actually not a huge help; Vox has said that, as time wears on, those memories will become less real and more like bad dreams than actual events. Whether she wants to learn to fight (again) is her own decision. She might consider apprenticing under one of the Roses for a few years just to learn some of the La Croix tricks.

Actually, there's a bit from the Healer short that's very appropriate for Jewel.
>Healers are a somewhat rare choice in my family, but I hadn't wanted to learn necromancy and I'd turned out to have a knack for medicine and alchemy. Between my mentor and my family, I'd added the fine arts of knife-fighting, hunting, tracking, threat identification, semi-lethal takedowns, and knot-tying to that list, alongside a variety of hobbies and field skills.
>They say the difference between an assassin and a la Croix healer is if the person's holding a dagger or a syringe.

>>48510236
>Remain silent; your part of this is later
>>48511763
They even chose the name themselves, they suck at naming things.

>>48514080
we've invested in minions, but we haven't really gotten to the nitty gritty on any of their upgrades, so get that done first.

How many people even still remember the witchbats?

Up. Will call and write after caffeine.

>>48516534
Joy of joys! Just in time for me to wrap up work for the night.

>>48513366
I have some news on that, actually! Print proofs have arrived and been approved. Initial copies are being sent to me now; other print copies (that is, the ones our backers bought) will follow, sometime after August 8th. The link's up on our site now for folks to snag the PDF or order a print.

We're goin' /live/!

Called, writing.

>>48517384
I'm so salty that Kickstarter doesn't accept Paypal.

>>48517384
Dammit, for a second I thought I was in the SoS thread and got excited.

>>48518251
Hah! The legend may never die, but the real thing will never be born. As if Rome and Galt would ever get their shit together.

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>>48510236
You decide to keep your peace. Now is not the time to interrupt. The knight, for her part, seems torn between anger at the threat and surprise at actually getting an apology without prompting.

"I wish my perspective understood," she says at last, permitting the apology without accepting it. "Your name is Talon?"

"Hunting Talon," the harpy agrees. "Miss...?"

"Lady," the knight corrects. "Lady Olivia of the Rook Cliff. I serve beneath Grand Constable William -"

"My brother," Amalie clarifies helpfully. "The one not inheriting."

"- and am charged to help ensure the safety and protection of the realm," Lady Olivia continues. "Greenwall is not without enemies and rivals, but they are exhausted and unready for battle. Marauding monsters that threaten our citizens are my primary charge."

"And you know us as murderous, vicious predators that devour you raw and attack in groups," Talon agrees, thoughtfully.

"You deny it?" the knight asks.

Talon flits down, landing in sword range of the armed woman. There's a challenging look in his remaining eye. "Not at all," he agrees. "Teach us better."

Amalie clears her throat. The nobility gives her their attention immediately; everyone else follows their gaze to see who the posh people are looking at.

"I do believe there's a traditional assurance for this," Amalie mentions lightly. "Fostering, yes? The Roosters can send some of their young men and women to learn and live among us. We will send some of ours to learn and live among /them/."

"That's easy enough for you to - " the count from earlier begins, forgetting Cooke's presence against his back.

"Starting with my own daughter," Amalie says firmly. "Mister Cooke, Count Lucas seems pitifully short on wine. Do give him a glass."

The man's mouth opens, closes, opens again, and finally joins the rest of his face in an expression of defeat. He accepts the wineglass handed to him by the cook as an excuse to stop talking.

>>48519127
Eat it nobleman!

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>>48519127
You think about asking why Amalie has a daughter already, remember that you're the one who's weird in this situation, and then shut up. She was probably married at sixteen. You wonder if she brought her husband with her - you should have met him by now, if she has.

"It's a little odd to me that we welcome Wrackholm with open arms, a city founded on robbing people at swordpoint, and suddenly develop objections to someone else looking to get out of that business," Amalie continues, sharply. "Lady Olivia, your concerns and service are both appreciated. Would you be willing to foster one of the Rooster's hatchlings?"

"With Prince William's approval, your Highness," the knight agrees, humbly. "You are certain?"

"People scream when they're born," Amalie says with a shrug. "One of my duties is to consider the long-term good of the realm. Potential...misunderstandings...seem a small price to pay for the benefits we could gain, and I do apologize to the Roosters present if it seems like I'm being cold-hearted about this but I'm paid rather well to be cold-hearted."

"We could use a cold heart at times," Razor Feathers agrees, wryly.

"Good, I rent mine out. Duchess, do you have a /plan/ for this dig?"

"In two parts, your Highness," Henrietta agrees. "Dwarves from the Roost and New Hell -"

"New what?" a man asks.

"Later," Amalie insists. "Please continue."

Henrietta bows. "Dwarves from the Roost and New Hell will begin the dig on their side, but much of their attention will be taken up adapting the Roost for concerns such as flooding and weather exposure, which are, to an extent, unavoidable. The surface team will do the lion's share of the digging from the surface, opening up a shaft into the Roost and constructing a structure at the top in which we may house guards and traders, as well as temporarily store goods on their way up or down."

>>48519375
> "Dwarves from the Roost and New Hell -"
> "New what?" a man asks.
Heh.

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>>48519375
Henrietta pauses for a brief moment, letting the crowd process that. "Following the digging of the shaft, stairs and a lift will be built by both teams, completing the connection and enabling the movement of large cargo."

"Glen has experience in building and maintaining such lifts," Captain Miller adds. "We maintain the Dumbwaiter that goes from Glen to Rose Island, and assist in the upkeep of the ferry that goes from Rose Island to Lakehallow. Our town keeps very good records; your engineers will have our experience to draw from."

"I don't suppose there are any odds that we can see these plans?" Amalie asks.

"Talon?" Henrietta asks mildly. The harpy gives Lady Olivia a brief handshake - she'd been expecting a bow, and looks quizzically at him - before stepping back to get room and taking off into the night. "Give him five minutes."

There's a low whistle from the merchant you'd seen River talking to. "Someone came prepared."

"I have been advised to work my madness out a head of time," Henrietta answers, with a wry smile.

"Good advice," Amalie agrees. "You have my backing."

"I'm honored to have the Crown's -"

"Did I say the Crown?" Amalie interrupts. "I must have misspoken. My father will need to make his own decision on this matter. You have /my/ backing, and the not-insignificant contributions of my personal wealth, along with my strong commendation to the Crown. You should have the king's answer in a fortnight or so."

"I - /thank you/, your Highness," Ettie replies, humbly. She curtsies low, making Amlie laugh prettily. "I will not forget this."

"Good, I'll stick you for it later."

"I - there will be one further announcement, in approximately an hour," Henrietta announces, recovering. "Please, continue to enjoy my hospitality."

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>>48519590
The party starts to break into small groups, nobles and merchants drifting together to discuss the goings-on. The harpies and other denizens of the Dungeon are now a topic of much interest, and they smile shyly as interested young people - and a few older ones - decide to learn more about the people who are threatening to be their neighbors and vassals.

"That went well," Amalie comments, mildly. "Quick side note, Ms. la Croix?"

"Yes, Highness?" you ask, your eyes on her. Amalie puts a hand on your shoulder and leans in close, murmuring in your ear.

"If I don't get my daughter back with as many pieces attached to her as I sent her with," she murmurs, "I will burn this duchy to the ground and bury you in the ashes. And if you think hiding in your hole in the ground will save you, think again."

The princess walks away with a pleasant wave, seeking out Henrietta.

> What do you do?

>>48519638
>"They might not be the same pieces, but I can assure you she will have as many pieces."
Probably a bad idea, but I can't resist at least proposing it.

>>48519638
>>"decide to learn more about the people who are threatening to be their neighbors and vassals."

Kek.

As for an actual vote

>Go up to Ettie, say that we're happy to hear she won't be sending criminals to the Dungeon anymore, then grab her by the ear, drag her out of sight, and ask what the fuck's she thinking offering a blanket pardon to literally everyone who's been banished there some of them have very good reasons for being banished didn't your cook tell you about doing too much too fast aaaaargh

>>48519638
>Secret admiration.
>Let's find out who has come to be our character witnesses- are Borsh and Lista going to be present? And like >>48519713 said while we talk to Ettie call her a dumbass for playing fastball with stupid shit like criminal pardons.

>>48519638
Don't worry about her. /If/ it came to a fight, she'd have to bring an army, which the citizens of the Dungeon might take issue with.

>>48519713
Also this
>grab her by the ear, drag her out of sight, and ask what the fuck's she thinking offering a blanket pardon to literally everyone who's been banished there some of them have very good reasons for being banished didn't your cook tell you about doing too much too fast aaaaargh

>>48519638
>>48519713
>>48519725
I assume by the time we get to Ettie, Cook will already be chewing her out for the blanket pardon. We should go back him up.

>>48519638
>Christ Ettie, blanket pardons?
>We should probably gauge reactions a bit, try to be friendly with a few people so they can know us as a person, before we get announced as Necromancer.

I'm interested to see how many people will 180 their opinion when they find out.

>>48519683
This. We fuck with everyone equally.

>>48519761
This after we back up Cook>>48519744

Vote'll be extended for some chores and other assorted bits of Life Shit.

>>48520738
I am suddenly reminded of Jack and now I will go to sleep sad.

>>48521965
The obvious resolution of his last time in the spotlight is his returning as some stripe of undead. Anyone got a theory as to what type he'll come back as?
Also, based on Brianna's history with the undead, I doubt his second go at "life" will be short-lived.

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Alright folks, I need to go be Gainfully Employed. Will call and write just after midnight or so if I'm any guess, but I'll be available on the phone for Q&A.

Remember as well that the Roost was also under attack. The fallout from this is not over.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms are welcome and appreciated!

Thank you all for reading and participating.

>>48522212
Question: who's that in the picture, and are they related to this story?

>>48522390
River, a year from now. She... she had a bad time.

>>48522390
Her given name is Nail; they call her the Iron Banshee, the Queen-in-Irons, and the Rusted Waerloch. She is a bounty hunter, specializing in fey and the Secondborn.

As for your other question: maybe.

>>48522563
Fine, then. What's her reputation? Is he trustworthy? Honorable? Will she take any job, no matter how evil? Does she enjoy killing fae/secondborn?

>>48522628
Lets wait to figure that out ourselves when she drops in for a visit anon.

The lich did say "maybe" after all.

>>48522212
What was Robert's favourite toy as a child

>>48522713
exactly why I want as much information as possible.

>>48522122
Probably a ghost. He seemed drawn back to the mortal world by regrets and a desire to make up with Flitter after he broke her heart (twice!), which probably counts as unfinished business. Sounds like Ghost Classic to me. Not sure if there are really any others that would fit.

>>48522719
A wooden army, lovingly carved and painted by his father. He lost it, and his parents, in a fire that consumed his home. When he finally learned that necromancy couldn't bring them back he started work on a new army of his very own.

>>48522628
Nail has never been forsworn, though she's careful to include failure clauses in her oaths and contracts. Her targets die savagely, the victims of the hatchet-like blades manacled to her wrists - Shame & Blame.

Nail rarely takes soft bounties and prefers to hunt oathbreakers and rogue demons. She rarely takes jobs against the Firstborn; when she does, once in a blue moon, the victim is found drained of blood and dead in agony. Her pay from those jobs goes to drink.

Nail claims not to hate her fellow fey but they certainly hate her. She operates out of Wrackholm, where she co-owns the Just Rewards Tavern.

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>>48523125
>her fellow fey
Ooh! How intriguing.

How does she handle that much iron safely? Is she somehow immune to iron?

>>48523238
That's the million dollar question.

>>48523310
I assume weakness to iron and other properties of fey are less universal than people think.

>>48523238
Maybe it's not iron. Maybe it's bronze, or some other non-ferrous alloy.

>>48523125
>Shame & Blame.
Recycling weapon names already, Vox?

>>48523310
>>48523373
Do people in this world know about aluminium, tungsten, and/or titanium?

>>48523409
Yep. Happens in the real world more than you might think.

>>48523310
>That's the million dollar question
No. The million dollar question is, "If she's immune to iron, what /isn't/ she immune too?"

It's no small thing for a fey to be immune to iron. How could this come to be, and at what cost to Nail?
I bet she had to give something up or accept some other sort of weakness to become immune.

Thing is, then, what did she give up?

>>48523125
This is why you shouldn't get kids into expensive hobbies like tabletop wargaming.

>>48523466
That's good thinking.

>>48523738
I laughed.

Two hours and change to call. Still open for questions.

>>48526198
what jobs will Nail /not/ take?

>>48526198
Does anyone know how many angels are in the various Choirs? Also, I wonder if we could get Lora to sing for us sometime?

>>48526392
Nail won't work for oathbreakers. When she was younger she'd turn you down for anything - lying to your kids would twigger her. These days she has both a sense of nuance and a nasty vengeful streak; one man tried to hire her while he was defiling his wedding vows. Nail told his wife and ended up paid to drag him in chains to the annulment.

Aside from that, Nail is not an assassin and refuses to work as one. She also consistently refuses payment for anything she volunteers to do, which generally comes up in cases of defending fellow travelers or doing favors for bar patrons.

Once a year, Nail does a job gratis for a different blacksmith. No one knows why.

>>48526478
It's not known. Angels unhelpfully state that they exist in the "required amount".

>>48527440
>No one knows why
Probably ties into her iron immunity. If it's a blacksmith, that it (probably) comes from old demonology.

What's Silence's opinion on Nail?

>>48527440
I suppose you could extrapolate from angel's known capabilities and duties to get a guess as to how many are required.

>>48527440
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

>>48487747
Kill jester

Home, called, writing. Looks like some variant on "Ettie WTF are you doing," is our winner.

>>48528630
I get the feeling it's a commonly uttered phrase.

>>48529144
Young, strong-willed leaders tend to get quite a bit of that, yes. The talented ones sometimes survive it.

>>48529395
wonder how long until we will be seeing assassination attempts? i say attempts because cook.

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>>48519638
You wait, watching Amalie approach Henrietta and start talking. Amy looks at you, looks at Amalie, then looks back at you.

"Are you staring at her butt?" the harpy girl finally asks, teasingly.

"Well, I wasn't, but she does have a nice butt," you admit. "Wrackholm was good for that girl."

"Girl, you say, like you're so much older," Amy takes your hat off and ruffles your hair before putting it back on your head. "Just because you /feel/ like a sexy grandma doesn't mean you are one."

"Aww, you think I'll live to be that old."

"...Toooo grim, Bri."

"Sorry," you offer, sheepishly.

"I know you're trying to be lighthearted about it," Amy tells you, opening a wing to pull you into a hug. "But some of us have to survive you, love, and we're not really looking forward to that. Okay? Try to save those kinda jokes for when we're all cut up and loopy from exhaustion."

"Sorry," you repeat, scritching Amy's hair. She chirps and melts, nuzzling her head into your hand. "I should go chew Ettie out."

"While she's talking to the princess?" Amy manages, between coos of bliss.

"Yeah. It'd pay for Amalie to know Ettie's got friends who care enough to berate her. Go make some friends?" you suggest, hopefully.

Amy kisses the bruise on the side of your face. "Alright," she says warmly, before letting you go. "Have fun!"

Oh, you /will/.

"I need to borrow this," you say to Amalie as you walk by, snagging Ettie's arm. The Duchess yelps, but Amalie's little grin says she's not about to save her fellow noble from you. She turns to keep discussing the plans with Cooke and Talon.

"What is this about?" Ettie asks, the moment you've pulled her into the darkness behind the stage.

"Keeper of the Door, huh?" you ask, pointedly. "Some of those people were pushed into the dark to die for a /damn good reason/."

>>48530478
I wonder what of things Feather seen his master has done with Amy and Nathan.

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>>48530478
"And because they had a good reason, I'm to leave people like Slaughter or, or, or /you/, to suffer?" Ettie asks hotly. "It's everyone or no one. I won't let this injustice stand further, not when it's /mine to fix/."

"Hellfire, Ettie, you can't just change the world all at once!" you protest.

"Why not?" the young woman challenges, folding her arms and looking you in the eyes. "The whole world changed at once when the Empire collapsed. The whole world changed at once when those.../people/...enslaved Lora. The whole world changed when you made the decision to let a mortal learn the Divine Tongue. Why not me? I have the power, I have people to help me use it responsibly, to keep me from turning into a despot. Why /shouldn't/ I change the world?"

> You...have...a point...
> Nothing gets changed without being destroyed, Ettie. You ready for that?
> You /sure/ you have the power? Will your people follow you to this?
> You're going to get yourself killed.
> Write-in?

>>48530540
>You /sure/ you have the power? Will your people follow you to this? Because nothing changes without being destroyed, Ettie. You ready for this? I only say this, because I don't want you to die too soon from doing something stupid. Not that I'm any better.

>>48530540
>> You /sure/ you have the power? Will your people follow you to this?
arrogance is not a good trait to lead with.

>>48530540
>Nothing gets changed without being destroyed, Ettie. You ready for that?
>People are comfortable with how things are, if you just come up out of the blue and change things overnight, you will rub a number of them wrong way.
>Your intentions are pure, but if you can't see why this situation might cause problems for you and yours then you need to take a step back and have a good look.

Use power responsible, if people turn against you, they may go after your duchy and its people too.

>>48530540
>A lot of them DIDN'T MIND. Not just not caring, but that they accepted the sentence handed to them. It became part of who they were.
>Change can also just a little less bloody if you take it slow. Allow the children of the exiles first, let them, those more suited to change, be the pioneers. Let them vouch for their parents through their deeds.

>>48530540
>Nothing gets changed without being destroyed, Ettie. You ready for that?

I gotta hit bed. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>48531225
She did kinda already Do The Thing. It's a bit hard to take back now that she's gone and done it.

>>48531640
True, but the point about it being part of who they are still stands. We heard it from Kells, there are people who ACTUALLY BECAME PEOPLE after going into the Dungeon.

>>48530540
>It's not about power, not about intentions and it's not about YOU. It's about justice and it's about the VICTIMS. How many murderers and rapists did you just pardon and all you have to, to use as a counter argument are two examples? I doubt Slaughter will like this and I sure as all fuck did not want you to use me in a political game where I will have to feel responsible the next time one these nonredeemable monsters commit new crimes on the surface. It will weigh on my mind, but you will be the one with the weight on your shoulders, you will be held responsible and you and your court are going to be run through with pitchforks and no one is going to help you.
>Did you not stop to think about the victims of these criminals? They may have wanted to see the men hang but accepted the exile because it is a time honored tradition and the people who are thrown down there die or never come back to the surface... and now you've made them free men. The farmer whose daughter was raped, the fisherman whose sons were killed or the cooper whose wife was burned alive what are they going to think of you and your rule when they learn of this? What fucking power do you hold that will make them accept this or follow your lead again in the future? This is not a rhetorical question Ettie, answer it.

>>48531784
This is harsh but true. Seconding.

>>48530540
>>48531784

This is pretty good, but I require some clarity and context from the setting before I'd be willing to second it. If the amount of obviously dangerous people Ettie just pardoned is a significant number, then yea this has my vote. I suspect, however, that circumstances are different.

How many and what type of people were exiled to the dungeon? Did Ettie just unleash the entire population of Pelican Bay onto a hapless sleepy hamlet? Or was it more like 3 guys? I am getting the impression that exile to the dungeon is not a day to day occurrence, but it would still be good to know just how many people Ettie just pardoned. Do they keep records?

Also, this is a setting modeled after a time period where trial by ordeal was still a thing. Many might consider those who have survived the dungeon to have paid their debt to society. I think the most questionable individuals would have to have been fairly recent.

Maybe strongly suggest something equivalent to parole officers for the violent or dangerous former exiles? She probably ought to do something like that to show she has thought this through and is taking responsibility for her decision in some form.

Otherwise, Ettie is surely going to have to deal with the inevitable backlash of this move, and that is nothing compared to what she will have to deal with if someone she pardoned commits another serious crime.

>>48532061
The problem is that she has already pardoned them, and any extra clause added later will be a sign of weakness for her, she'll look like a wishy-washy idiot who lack both foresight and conviction.
IMO Bri is concerned for Ettie and chewing her out harshly is just tough love. The number of criminals and so on isn't even important, what's important is that she is young and thinks that doing "the right thing" is more important than law and order.

>>48532087
Well, first of all this seems more like an announcement of intent, not a final proclamation. It's still reasonable that details can be hammered out before anyone carries out her edict. Someone still has to actually go and find these people and tell them they are pardoned, else it doesn't really mean much -- and that takes time.

And was she really doing the right thing? Well that remains to be seen. I wonder how much research or thinking she did on her end before doing this. Was it as impulsive as it looks? If so, then Bri is probably going to have something to say about that.

And chewing Ettie out doesn't do anyone any good if Bri doesn't get the facts straight first.

Personally, I am most curious why Ettie thinks it has to be an all or nothing thing. She didn't really explain that yet.

>>48530540
>> Nothing gets changed without being destroyed, Ettie. You ready for that?
I'll also back the first part of >>48531225

If we want a parable about change without thought, we can tell her about the guns that were developed in New Hell that were going to be brought to the surface and cause a sudden jump in murder and war across the land that we set back because *people weren't going to be ready for it*.

I dunno how we're going to handle it. We may need to set up councils on each level to determine who can go out and who needs to remain behind. Which goes against her entire idea, but we can't let people out who need to be there and she shoved us into the corner.

Someone needs to do something to make her plan work, and it's a real shame that we're always that Someone.

>>48530540
> Write-in?
Draw a paralell between her plan with Necromancy - a soft open with select people that are trusted.
And what she's trying now. Which is just as controversial, and a hard-open with no getting in front of it with the right people proving and paving the way first.

Evening bump

>>48532315
>"As of this night, Starfall will no longer permit or tolerate the exile of criminals into the Dungeon, or the incarceration of the same. And by the power vested in my family by ancient right as the Keepers of the Door, I further pardon all sentenced to such an exile. They are welcome to return to the surface."
This is a declaration.

And on what planet do you live on where people don't get angry or yell at someone without first looking up all the facts?

>>48534871
I really hope this is just sarcasm, because we live on planet Earth, where people can find the stupidest reasons to argue, hurt and hate, like skin tone or language.

>>48535012
That's what I said. No one goes and makes 100% sure that they are right before they blow off

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>>48535012
>responding with misplaced hope
>provoking a troll response
>derailing with another baity stupid thing to argue about

I'm up. Will call and write after a shower.

Looks like some combo of "nothing gets changed without being destroyed" and various explanatory writeups is our winner. Called, writing.

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>>48530540
You take a look at Ettie's defiant posture and expression, sigh, and dig out a cigar. This is not a cigarette kind of conversation. You light it patiently, noting that she's /still/ glaring at you, and take a puff.

You've been sorely missing this while trapped in the Athenaeum.

"You don't understand what your father was afraid of, do you?" you ask, at last.

Henrietta looks surprised. The Duchess peers at you, decides you're actually asking and not trying to insult her, and then shakes her head.

You gesture with your cigar. "Death and change are related, Ettie. There's not a thing in the world that gets changed without being destroyed. Some only in parts, some in the whole. If I build you a house, I don't have any trees left, do I? But if I raise a child, some part of that child still remains when you get a man or a woman out the other side. Your father saw Starfall, saw that it was good, and decided he didn't want to find out what part of it would be destroyed if he changed it. Now you've up and done it. You ready to find out what you're going to lose for it?"

"I already realize I lose some leverage for shutting the Dungeon to criminals," Ettie answers. "I've also made a few enemies tonight because of lords that choose to use the Dungeon rather than attending to their own justice. Lords I'll have to clean up sooner, rather than later, so they don't get inflicted on their own people."

"How vicious of you," you remark flatly. "What about the victims of the actual criminals? What about the people of Starfall who felt safer at night knowing these people were sealed away? Hellfire, let's be selfish, what happens when you announce /me/?"

"They'll accept you," the Duchess says quietly. "Amalie already likes you, and that means quite a bit. Brianna, Cooke already went through a lot of this with me. Do you trust me or not?"

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>>48537873
"I don't have to mistrust you to think you did something stupid!" you protest. "Why is this all-or-nothing for you? How do you think this goes? How are you even going to /tell them all/?"

The young woman laughs. She has to put her hand on your shoulder to support herself. You are feeling distinctly mocked after the first twenty seconds of what ends up being more than a minute of uproarious laughter.

"Ettie I'm gonna punch you in the tit here in a minute," you say at last.

"I'm sorry, I just. Okay. It's. Okay - I realize I look crazy and now I get why. Okay."

"You've said that three times now."

"I know, I know. Alright. Here's how this goes: right now, I tell no one anything. Everyone's going to be /busy/. We have a construction project, a world to save, and the denizens of the Dungeon are still under siege. When that's finished with we'll either all be dead or we'll have to help clean up and support the Dungeon, meaning I won't have time or men to spare." Ettie gestures in the direction of the Dumbwaiter. "When /all of that/ is done, I finally send someone with a list of names to travel through the habited parts and announce the pardons. The people who have paid their debts to society, chances are they're respected down there. They can leave or stay. The ones that are still assholes? How long do you think they'll last when the denizens find out what /other/ crimes they're guilty of and then fall on them like a sack of bricks?"

> ...Okay, that's actually not bad
> I'm not sure that's going to work out, but you already went and did it
> This Dungeon is not your place, Ettie. Don't just do something like this again.

>>48537931
>I'm not sure that's going to work out, but you already went and did it. Just don't forget this Dungeon is not your place Ettie. Don't just do something like this again. I'll have to organize some kind of watch list so no criminals just get out and start some shit again. Maybe a floor by floor police force.

>>48537931
hmm. On one hand, at least she had some sort of plan when she did this. On the other hand, criminals in the Dungeon that aren't dead yet are rather unlikely to be lynched, even if they are assholes. And there's plenty of exits from the Dungeon, if you know where to look.

>>48538094
Until the dungeon declares itself sovereign, no peacekeeping force would have the authority to keep people there. And there's apparently plenty of access to the surface from the Basement and the Broken Jaw at least.

>>48538137
Then if not the in Dungeon itself, at least some guards at the exits then.

>>48537931
>This Dungeon is not your place, Ettie. Don't just do something like this again.
>I'm especially worried about the ones who may have started a family and suddenly have all their dirty laundry hung out.

> I'm not sure that's going to work out, but you already went and did it

>>48537931

also i miss lora bri meeting time when she sleeps, can we have another soon?

>>48538173
If i remember the vote right,we're supposed to be announced halfway through this ball; we're not even halfway yet.

>>48538166
Same problem; they were just pardoned. Guards couldn't do squat.

>>48537931
>>48538171
This

>>48537931
>keep it simple, stupid.

>>48537931
>It's not a bad idea, but can you understand why I'm worried? The least you could have done is consult with some of the people who live in the dungeon before deciding on it

Okay, so: I've got to work here in twenty, and I've been slow on the updates because I've spent all day today handling the last bits of this Professional Writing thing. That needs, absolutely needs, to be done before tomorrow afternoon, so while I'll be up tonight I may not be updating, or updating fast.

Once that's done and tossed to the Great And Terrible Layout Department (praise be), I'll be somewhat busy handling the playtest for it in a fairly active role. That means that for some time, DLQ may be experiencing significant slowdown. I'll keep you informed.

Votes remain open until approximately midnight EST.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms (except about the Professional Writing, I can't talk about it in detail just yet) remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>48539093
Good luck with your important life shit Vox!

At work, available for Q&A. Had a thoughtline on trying something I've seen in MHQ; what would folks think of doing an interview through the fourth wall, probably with a side character like Korl or Tatters?

>>48540009
GIVE ME SILENCE OR GIVE ME DEATH

>>48541029
But death is a major character.

>>48541131
Silence it is, then!

>>48541029
>>48541131
Yea, I would be down for Death. Death seems cool, to talk to at least.

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>>48540009
>>48541779

Oh, a side character, though. Hmm darn, how about Scribbles?

>>48541888
She'd probably be the best for general Dungeon knowledge. I'm sure she's been writing about it, after all.

Does Bri have some goddamn eggs in her belly yet?

>>48542754
Quail eggs or chicken eggs ? I have not had the chance to look over the dinner menu for tonight's ball. Maybe we should ask the Cooke or cook or the waiter or the Dumbwaiter or something.

>>48542754
No. She has a highly preferred method of birth control that keeps that from happening. It's anal.

Plus, y'know, Amy's favorite treat eats up a lot of the needed material.

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>>48542967
>Amy's favorite treat
This...I'll be back.

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>>48542967

>>48542967
Well, the poly relationship certainly makes the jokes more complicated. It's like math or sumthin.

>>48542967
Nate's kind of ridiculous. He's got a chocolate necromander who prefers anal, and an uninhibited shankbird who swallows. (Hah, swallow. I'll show myself out.)

>>48543406
He did lose a leg though. I wonder which arm comes off to "even" him out.

>>48543026
>>48543036
Lewd questions get lewd answers. I do devote at least some thought to it; the three are fairly comfortable with their sexualities these days.

>>48543406
Or Bri has a handsome and attentive Hero and a loving, orally fixated shankbird. You can frame it so any of them are the focus.

Welp. Closing cashier just went to the hospital after puking blood onto the floor. I'll be delayed another hour or so while I cover the rest of her shift.

>>48544302
Shit man, what happened?

>>48544335
Not sure, I was informed via store phone.

>>48544382
Well that sucks. Take your time Vox, we aren't going anywhere.

Home, cooking dinner, then will call and write. May alternately kill the thread with Scribbles interview, then write new thread.

Aight, called, writing.

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>>48537931
You take another puff, then sigh. "Alright. You already went and did it, and you can't undo it, so there's not a lot of point in me berating you much further. But I need you to keep something in mind here for me. The Dungeon's not your place. Those people down there, they may have new lives, families, friends, far from the sins of their past that you're going to dump at their doorstep. You think about that, and then don't do something like this again."

"...I was about to say that you don't own the place either, and then I remembered that technically you do," the Duchess says with a defeated sigh.

"I don't like it either," you admit. "Amalie's waiting for you, I think."

> Find Nate
> See how the harpies & Dungeon residents are getting on
> Just take some time to yourself (skip to the next announcement)

>>48547273
> See how the harpies & Dungeon residents are getting on
So guys, we good topside? Any problems or anything?

>>48547273
>See how the harpies & Dungeon residents are getting on.
Might as well get a start on curbing her royal decree.

>>48547273
>"...I was about to say that you don't own the place either, and then I remembered that technically you do," the Duchess says with a defeated sigh.

technically we /don't/ we're the heritor, which means we inherit it when lora decides to pass it on.

>>48547273
>See how the harpies & Dungeon residents are getting on
Gotta make sure everyone is alright and not in the process of being taken advantage of.

>>48547273
> Find Nate
why not

>>48547273
> See how the harpies & Dungeon residents are getting on

>>48547273
>> Find Nate

Okay, I gotta hit bed. Been writing all night and I need to conclude it in the morning or the bossman's gonna have my guts for garters. Votes remain open, and I thank you for your patience.

>>48548942
No worries Vox, focus on pleasing your boss (Pimp? I'm not sure what the exact term for a self-employed prostitute is) and completing your Professional Responsibilities.

Also, I wanted to ask earlier; Are Druids a thing in the DLQ-verse? I imagine that such characters would either be of great interest to the Choir of Leaves and Fangs, or were actually taught by them.

Early morning bump.

Y'know, if Flitter still has that truly innocent soul, can we use it to 'resurrect' Jack? Or, barring that, Brianna could experiment with creating /true life/.

I know that this way leads to zombie armies BUT C'MON IT'S SO TEMPTING.

>>48549809
> Brianna could experiment with creating /true life/.
> I know that this way leads to zombie armies BUT C'MON IT'S SO TEMPTING.

No, bad anon. None of that.

>>48549952
>Brianna picks up the soul-in-a-jar.
>Starts imagining all the things she could do with it.
>Grandma La Croix's spirit manifests just to deck Brianna on the head.
>"Don't even think about it kiddo."
>"GRANDMA WHAT THE HELL?!"

>>48547273
>> Just take some time to yourself (skip to the next announcement)

>>48547273
>> Just take some time to yourself (skip to the next announcement)

Up. Need to shower, breakfast, dishes. Will call and write after.

>>48549033
Not as such, no. There's plenty of folks with an interest in nature but 'nature magic' isn't exactly a thing. You'll get kineticists or alchemists with a decidedly arboreal bent but for the most part woodsmen or herb witches are just that: folks with an applicable skill set that just kinda like the forest.

>>48550046
>Oak: This isn't the time to use that!

Called, writing. Run will continue to be slow today but at least we can bury this thread and start a new one.

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>>48547273
<Fetch, you ready for when this happens?> you ask.

<Wholly prepared, my queen> your faithful familiar answers. <I only wish we had thought, before just now, to get a banner for you. Being able to display your family colors would add the weight of history to your glorious entrance to polite society.>

You laugh, while you head back towards the dance floor. <I tell you lately how much I appreciate you, little guy?>

<My heart is warmed with the constant knowledge and joy of it, my queen.>

Henrietta is back to talking with Amalie, which leaves you to move through the crowd of people and mingle. There's a lot of questions about the Dungeon, about if this harpy or that human are going to be living on the surface and what they think of all of this. You catch the old general you were talking to; he's speaking to Four and her father. The tiny hatchling is asking for tips on how to get as old as he got while the soldier tries to refrain from laughing himself into his well-earned final rest.

"This will not stand," you hear a voice whisper hotly. You catch the noble that was complaining earlier, in the midst of a small knot of compatriots. "I will not have these monsters on my land. Starfall thinks she can throw her weight around, but we don't need her any more. It's time the Crown found a new lord for that Duchy."

Wellllllll then.

> Keep eavesdropping
> Interrupt
> Tell Henrietta
> Do nothing; Ettie needs to learn to handle this on her own.

>>48553974
>> Keep eavesdropping

>>48553974
>> Keep eavesdropping

>>48553974
>Send in the cook.

>>48553974
>Keep eavesdropping
>We're just enjoying some wine.

>>48553974
>> Do nothing; Ettie needs to learn to handle this on her own.

>>48553974
> Do nothing; Ettie needs to learn to handle this on her own.
she doesn't need us defending her over every disparaging comment. 'Sides, 'monsters' /are/ a risk that some people will be uncomfortable with. fussing at them isn't going to change anything.

>>48553974
>> Keep eavesdropping
We don't even need to be subtle about it since he doesn't know who we are. Plop down into the group, see where he's going with this.

>>48553974
>Keep eavesdropping
>Tell Henrietta, if it goes beyond griping and unsubstantiated hypotheticals (i.e. if an actual plot starts forming)
>otherwise just mention it to her in passing after the event

>>48553974
> Do nothing; Ettie needs to learn to handle this on her own.

>>48553974
>Keep eavesdropping
If it turns out to be nothing major, them we won't tell Ettie. If it's a serious coup, however...

>>48553974
>> Keep eavesdropping

>>48553974
>>48554379
>>48554276
These. Let's see what they're actually up to first.

I like >>48554120 as well, though.

>>48554602
If this guy is fool enough to discuss a serious coup attempt in the middle of a party, he's not going to last very long anyway.

>>48554644
In his defense, he might consider Ettie's announcement so unacceptable that in his mind, he's not even discussing a coup, it's just the obvious response to sedition. The only reason you'd talk behind closed doors is if you fear discovery; righteous anger loves a crowd.

I hope he's just an idiot, though. Zealots are always messier to deal with.